Earl Frank Palmer Resume in Brief

Education:
Princeton Theological Seminary                         Bachelor of Divinity 1953-1956
University of California, Berkeley              A.B. Political Science 1949-1953

Special Recognition:
Pastor Emeritus awarded by First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, California                          2017
Pastor Emeritus awarded by University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington                   2008
Pastor Emeritus awarded by Union Church of Manila, Republic of Philippines                            2006
Distinguished Alumnus Award – Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey       1999

Degrees Awarded:
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree awarded by Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington       2008
Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree awarded by Whitworth University of Spokane, Washington                        1987

Ministries:
Pastor-At-Large, Earl Palmer Ministries, Seattle, Washington                                 2008 – 2023
Preaching Pastor-in-Residence, The National Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC            2008 – 2010
Senior Pastor, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington                                1991 – 2008
Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Berkeley, California                      1970 – 1991
Senior Pastor, Union Church of Manila, Makati, Republic of Philippines                                     1964 – 1970
Minister of Students, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Washington                        1956 – 1964

Professional Associations:
Board of Trustees Emeritus – Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey          2006 – 2023
Board of Trustees – Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey                   1974 – 2006
Board of Trustees – New College Berkeley, Berkeley, California                                                   1975 – 2023
Board of Trustees – Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington
Board of Governors – Regent College, Vancouver British Columbia, Canada

(as of 2023)

Books

Click for here for description of books

Multiple Authored Books

Palmer, Earl F., Roberta Hestenes, Howard Hendricks (1991). Mastering Teaching: Christianity Today, Multnomah Press.
Chapter in Books:
Palmer, E. The Resurrection (2012). In David Marshall (Ed.) Faith Seeking Understanding (pp 127-131). Pasadena, CA: William Carey Books.
Palmer, E. Theological Themes in the Fiction of C.S. Lewis: Good and Evil in the Chronicles of Narnia (2010). In Sharon Gallagher (Ed.) Where Faith Meets Culture: A Radix magazine Anthology (pp. 102-113) Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.
Palmer, E. To Keep My Head Clear (2009). In William J. Carl (Ed.) Best Advice: Wisdom on Ministry From 30 Leading Pastors and Preachers (pp.121-126). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
Palmer, E. Sustaining the Pastoral Life (2008). In Allan H. Cole (Ed.) From Midterms to Ministry: Practical Theologians on Pastoral Beginnings (pp. 179-190). Grand Rapids, MI and Cambridge, U.K: Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Palmer, E. (2002) Twenty One: A Sermon Preached at University Presbyterian Church. In William H.Willimon
(Ed.) The Sunday After Tuesday: College Pulpits Respond to 9/11 (pp. 150-157) Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Palmer, E. Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Year C and Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, Year C. (2001). In Rober E.Van Harn (Ed.)The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sunday’s Texts for Acts and the Epistles (pp. 450-456). Grand Rapids, MI and Cambridge, U.K: Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Palmer, E. (2000) The Humor of Joy. In M. Achtemeir and A. Purves (Eds.) A Passion for The Gospel (pp. 112-118) Louisville, KY: Geneva Press.
Palmer, E. (1998) Education as Sabbath. In Steve Moore (Ed.) The University Through the Eyes of Faith (pp.47-59) Indianapolis, IN: Light and Life Communications.
Palmer, E. (1996). Giving People Time and Space. In Marshall Shelley (General Ed.) In Growing Your Church Through Evangelism. (pp. 11-17). Nashville, TN: Moorings; Division of Ballantine, Random House Publishing.
Palmer, E. (1984). The New Testament Concept of Peace. In John Bernbaum (Ed.) Perspectives on Peacemaking (pp.57-70). Ventura, CA: Regal Books.
Palmer, E. (1977) The Pastor as a Biblical Christian. In Jack Rogers (Ed.) Biblical Authority (pp.125-147). Waco, TX: Word, Inc.
Palmer, E. (1972). In Floyd Thatcher (Ed.) The Splendor of Easter (pp. 116-120). Waco, TX: Word Books.

Published Interview with Earl Palmer

Yarnall, Stephen R., M.D. (2008). Dialogues with Earl Palmer. Seattle, WA: Snohomish Publishing Company.

Richard Burnett Interviews Earl
A video made in association with Theology Matters and Earl Palmer Ministries.

A New Era in “Retirement?” Earl Palmer Ministries

In 2007, a group of friends established “Earl Palmer Ministries,” a nonprofit foundation that enabled him to continue his work as a teacher and writer. The encouragement and support of the EPM Board as well as prayer and financial contributions from “The Friends of Earl Palmer Ministry” kept Earl active in ministry up until the day he was diagnosed with a terminal illness that took him just 6 weeks later from his earthly home. The idea for Earl Palmer Ministries was born from the example of John Stott Ministries, founded in order for the late John Stott to continue doing ministry after he retired from the pulpit. Earl’s ministry during these years was both near and far.

Word and Worship

Word and Worship provided a space for worship and personal reflection through music, prayer and exposition of texts from the Bible. Located at the Florence Henry Memorial Chapel at the Highlands in Shoreline, Washington, this hour together included music led by a talented group of musicians and a Bible study by Earl Palmer.

Theological Dialogue

Theological dialogue met at the home of Earl and Shirley Palmer. Earl gathered with friends of Earl Palmer Ministries from the Seattle area to engage in a discussion of an important theological work over coffee and pastries. Works included Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

Kindlings Muse

In the beautiful Walker-Ames Room at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall, Earl Palmer and Dick Staub discussed the biblical truths that appear in some of their favorite books and works of literature in a live recorded podcast. These podcast recordings are available in the Earl Palmer Collection.

University Ministries Interns

Every year, Earl would sit down with the University Ministry Interns at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle to study some of Earl’s favorite authors and practice Biblical Exposition. These students were able to use what they learned in their own ministry with college students as well as enjoy the donuts he faithfully provided. The Palmer home was open regularly to these students for meals and get togethers.

New College Berkeley

Earl served as one of the founders and trustees of NCB since its founding in 1977. NCB continues to serve undergraduates, graduate students, and lifelong learners with wide-ranging courses, conferences, seminars, lectures and retreats aimed at renewing minds, deepening faith, and shaping vocation. Earl was a regular speaker at annual events. Visit the website

C.S. Lewis Foundation

Guests at C.S. Lewis’ home, the Kilns, enjoyed the pleasures of new friendships and warm hospitality as Earl led the attendees in the days long seminars through an engaging study of the essential themes of Lewis’ writings and life.

Earl responded to any opportunity to teach and preach in new and familiar places nationally and internationally. Regular invitations included Laity Lodge with the H. E. Butt Foundation, The China Academic Consortium, The Episcopal Bishops Retreat at Camp Weed in Florida, New College Berkeley and Princeton Theological Seminary. Through the years, Earl was invited to speak at many universities and seminaries around the country with diverse denominations. His travels to speak brought him to Africa Europe and Asia.